Internal-combustion engine



Dec. 8, 1953 M. couslN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed June 21, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. s, 1953 M. couslw 2,661,727

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Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,661,727 I INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE i Maurice Cousin, Paris, France Application as 21, 1951;, Serial No, 232,748

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and particularly to a non-reciprocating or continuous rotary type of such engines.

In my prior U. S. Patent No. 2,024,848 of 'D'e-' cember 1'7, 1935, I have disclosed an internal com-' bustion engine of said type, in which the variable capacity of chambers producedby the meshing of a plurality of toothed members (like sprockets and gears) Was utilized and in which the several operations of intake, compression, expansion and exhaustwere obtained in a very simple form.

Said engine comprised an appropriately housed pair, of members each having elements inter meshing with: corresponding elements of the other member and arranged in progressive series such that the one series continuously crosses the path of the other, preferably perpendicularly at the point of crossing.

My present invention has for its object to provide improvements to' this type of internal combustion engine.

A particular object of my invention is to pro vide a considerable increase of the intake of such an engine. This object is achieved by using, for said intake, not only the volume between the elements of one of the above mentioned intermeshing members, but also the variable capacities of the other member, once said member has been emptied of the burnt gases. 3

As in my above mentioned prior U. S. Patent No. 2,024,848, one of the intermeshing members is illustrated hereafter, by way of example, as very similar to a spiral gear, and for convenience will be referred to as the gearmember, although it is'to be understood I do not limitthe invention to the use of a member resembling a gear as a progressive series of elements may'be otherwise obtained. The other member is represented as being of a conveyor type, comprising an endless chain passing around drums and'carrying the series of elements at spaced intervals so as to 'intermesh with the elements of the gear members.

Two embodiments of an engine according to 'the invention are exemplified in'the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal 'sectionalview of a first embodiment through line l--l of Figure 2; Figure 2 is a part sectional view through line "2-'-2 of Figure 1 and part elevationalview, the

per side of the ng ei g upposed removed;

'7 Claims. (01.;123-8) Figure 3 is a cross sectional-view taken on lined-3 of Fig. 2; V Figure 4 is a detailed side elevational view, at a larger scale, of a chain link;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of said chain link through line 5-5 of Figure 4 r Figure ,6 is an endielevational'view of said chain link;

Figures 7 to 10 show diagrammatically different steps in the working as effected by the crossing series of elements; Figure 11 is'a diagrammatic, front'elevational view of a helical chain-element used in the diagram of Figures 7 to 10; v

Figures 12 to 14 are diagrams similar to'those of Figures? to 10 in the case of a variant; Figure 15'is a view, similar to that "of Figure 11- of a helical chain elementused in the diagrams of Figures 12 to 14; j Figure 16 is a part cross sectional view of another embodiment of' an engine according to the "invention taken'online Hi-Hi of Fig. 17; Figure 17 is a part longitudinal sectional view, part elevational view of said other embodiment;

Figure 18 is a side elevational view of a chainlink used in said embodiment; l

Figure 19 is a cross sectional view of said chainlink through line-l9 i9 of Figure 18;v In said drawings there is-provided a bed-frame l and within said frame a casing 2through part of whichextends-a rotatable'shaft 3-mounted on bearings 44a. On said shaft is keyed a gear-v like member 5 having teeth 6 B 6 6 1said :member being tightly enclosed in a centralrei- :cess 1 of easing 2.; Parallel to shaft 3 and'on each side of said recess 1 are provided two passages 8 and!) for" permitting entry and. departure of the helical elements of two transverse, chain- .like members 10 and II, respectively, symmetri- -cally arranged withrespectto the longitudinal .axis of the device. has is formed of a plurality of links l2 (Figs. 4 .to 6), each link lz being connected to the next by means of a hollow axle 13 one end of which is screwedin a corresponding helical element l4 adapted to mesh with the teeth 6 of the gear- Each of said chain-link memlike member 5, and the other end of which is Eachelement 14, is substantially a parallelogram in cross section including two fiat, parallel sides adapted'to guidesaid element in passages 8 and 9, obliquely arrangedfront and back sur- -facesadapted to cooperate with the fianges'of teeth 5 of gear-like member 5 and a longitudinally projecting bevelled part IS the end of which penetrates a notch of corresponding shape provided in the helical element attached to the next link, so asto provide a tight closing of the open side of passages 8 and 9. In one of the flat sides of each element i4 is provided a recess 2! into which protrude the electrodes 22 of a spark plug 23;..the: insulated electrode. of which is electrically connected to a metal rod 24 extending through the hollow axle l3 and. adapted to pass in close proximity of a fixed contact plug 25 held in and insulatedifrom frantic l, and connected to a high voltage source, not shown.

The passage 8 is provided witlnae-lateraLchmnber 26 into which opens one end of a duct 21' connected to a chamber .28 on the opposite side' of the recess 1 and communicating with the passage 8. A fuel iniectcm 28, connected toa pressurized fuel supply, not shown introduces fiiel into the chamber 28:;

Recess in casing?! is provided (Figs? and 7-10) on the one hand; onfithe same side as chamber 28, with an intakaport m' (Figs; 2;. 3 and 7-10), communicating with the outer atmosphere through a channel 3| into which extendifinsfle protruding frozn-c'asing hand, on thezother'hand onthe opposite wall; with an: exhaust: port 32 adapted to be partly closed by'means ofi sliding flaps 33'; 33' and 33 (Figs;- 3 and. 7-10)" and directly communicating with: the: outer atmosphere by a channel 34.

A similarseries of ports and openings provided in the I walls of reeess. 1,. symmetrically with respect to-- themiddle: point of. the. longitudinal axisof said recess; i. e. an air intake: port 311' angularly spaced from port 31);. an 'exhaustport 32' with sliding flaps opposite: portfi 3Q communicat'ing with another exhaust port: 34", not shown. The positioning of said ports has: been shown the developed diagrams? of Figs. 2; 3 and 7-10:

It is assumed that t-he' movable members move in the direction of the arrows Flsee Figs; 2; 3 and 7 10)'.

The working, of the engine is described hereafter with moreparticular" reference to the diagrams'of Figs; F10:

(1st) Suction in the gear-likememherz-The rotation of the" gear-like member 5 causes the air contained in the spaces such as 36- between two teeth, say' 6 6 of sai'cl member to=be centrifirgally expelled (see arrows, Fig. 3-) through the ports 37. and 32', through ports" air...

(2nd) First compressimz imthe gcar lflte member..-As the gear-like member 5 rotates, a tooth passes between two helicalielements of the chainlike. member, for example, the tooth t engages between the elements It and. M? of said chainlike member (Fig. 8). During this movement, the volume of space 36 decreases and the air in 30 to replace the expelled said space, after having been compressed, is expelled through chamber 26 and. duct 21'.

(3rd). Feeding. in the chain-like memben-The air thus compressed; in the gear-like member-and expelled through chamber 29 and duct 21 is mixed in chamber 7.8 with fueldelivered by an injector 29 and is introduced. into. a. space such as 39 (Fig.. 8) between two helical elements, say H and 1-4 of. the chainelike memberin, which-is thus. filled with combustihle mixture.

while fresh air is taken in member.-When a helical element such as, say, it, has engaged between two teeth, say, 6 and 6 of the gear-like member, the volume of space 39 behind said element 14 which has previously been filled as above described with combustible mixture, begins to decrease and said decreasing continues when element I4 engages behind tooth 6 (Fig. 9) until all the mixture in said interval 39"is compressedi inside the. recess: 2,.I'0f helical element I4 which recess also opens both on the lateral and on the front side of said element (Fig. 9).

(5th) Ignition: and expansion-Rod 24 of the sparking plug 23 in helical element I4 passes in front of'contact plug 25 and the mixture in recess 2h is ignited.. During said ignition, element H has advanced and reaches the position corresponding to the position of the element I4 in Fig. 8. In this positionythe gases resulting from thecomhustion: of; the; gases: in recess. 2i of. element. lA- escapejby, the lateral, opening of. said recessbnow uncovered, and expand. in the-space behind tooth. 6? ofthegear-like member. The expansion.- tends; to propel the gear-likemember andsto. drive the shaft 3; said gear-like'member also driving the chaine-like member.

(6th-1st) Exhaust and. new. suction.--When the, space: in.- which expansion takes place has againreached-itsmaximum value, the expansion is ended. and tooth-13. of the gear-like member uncovers the openings-32., according. to the positionof sliding flaps 33., The burnt gases. escape centrifugally throughthe. opening 32' and ex.- haust opening 34' and a new quantity of fresh scavenging air. isadmittedinto the space through port30f and the. cycle. is repeated, in cooperation with the second chain-like. element (not shown in Figs. 740).. Itwill be understood that the port. 30 supplies air-*tothe chain H in the, same way that the port 3|! supplies air to thechain it). Also, the exhaust port32. has the same relation to thechain. H: asthe. exhaust port. 32. has, to the chain Ml and suitable. fuel injecting means, chambersand. passages corresponding to the elements-2i, 21s and: 28.-ar.e.provided. for the chain. I l.

The. air;, fuel. and. gases thus follow the track shown; in Fig. 8=by the arrowed; lines 40 and. 40. If it is assumed that the. length of chamber 28 inthedirection ofrota-t-ion of the gear-likememberisat least equaltqthe-width of each: tootlrfi of said member: in said direction, and that. the length: of chamber 26; is atleast equal to that of a lateral face of each element. M of the corresponding chain like-member, it: may be. seen. that the movement of air; fuel; and. gases along said track shall becontinuous and that the pressurized' fuel supply may" also be continuous.

Thedegree of compression in the: gear-like member may be varied by: means of. the sliding flaps 33, 33', 33" in port 32. If flap 33; only' is shifted towards the end of port 3?; which is nearer to chamber (Fig. 7-). part of the air in space 36' will escape through port 30 and only the remaining other part shall". be compressed and fed to the chain-likemember. If all the flaps are shifted together towards. said end (Figs. 8-10), all the air in the space 36 is compressed and fed to the chain-like member.

It is possible to arrange a variably loaded escape valve on duct 21, as shown in Fig. '10, said valve 50 being'loaded by a spring 51i resting on a cover 5? which maybe. screwed lengthwise of. the valve casing 53 to compress the spring El. more or less, as required, said casing being provided (4th) Second compression. in merchant-like with an outlet'opening 534 The fresh air passing on fins 2a and in the intervals between two consecutive teeth of the gear like member, during and after the suction operation, contributes to the cooling of casing 2. According to another embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 12-15, the recesses 2| in the helical members I4 open only on the lateral'side of said members. In this case, chamber 28 opens in passage 8 by means of a port 4| adapted to be closed by a valve 42 controlled by any known device, such as a cam, not shown, synchronized with shaft 3 and arranged so that port 4| is opened only when a recess 2| is opposite said port. Instead of providing such a valve, the feeding of fuel through injector 29 may be adapted to be periodically established and interrupted, in order that fuel should be injected only when a recess 2| is opposite port 4|. Such a result may be obtained by means of a discontinuous injection pump known per se. 7 With the arrangement shown, the second com pression in the chain-like member does not ocour and the working of the engine may be briefly described as follows: I

(1st) Suction.Fresh air is admitted in a space between two teeth, say, 6 and 6 of the gearlike member (Fig. 12).

(2nd) Compression in the gear-like member.- Said space decreases and the air is compressed. and expelled through chamber 28 in duct 21 and. chamber 26. Valve 42 is closed (Fig. 13).

(3rd) Feeding in the chain-li7ce member.A recess 2| in an element, say, I4 comes opposite port 4|. Valve 42 opens and the compressed air is fed into said recess 2|, together with fuel injected through injector 29 (Fig. 14).

(4th) Ignition and expansion.The combustible mixture in said recess 2| is carried by the corresponding element, until said recess nearly reaches the track of the gear-like member (position of element I4 intermediate between Figs. 13 and 14). The combustible mixture in said recess is ignited as previously explained and the resulting gases expand behind the corresponding tooth of the gear like member, for instance behind tooth 6 (Figs. 12 and 13) if the recess 2| in element I4 is considered.

(5th) Exhaust-When the front part of the space between two teeth, say 5 and 0 of the gear-like member, reaches openings 35" and J 35, the burnt gases escape centrifugally and a new quantity of air is admitted through port 30', and the cycle continues.

6 of rails I53, fast with easing I50. carries a protruding helical element II4 having two flat, parallel sides adapted to be guided in the passages such as I08 provided for admitting entry and departure of the chain elements in and from meshing engagement with the teeth I06 of gear-wheel I05, and obliquely arranged front and back surfaces adapted to cooperate with the flanges of said teeth. In one side of each element 4 is provided a recess |2| into which protrude the electrodes of a sparking plug I23 one of said electrodes being connected to thev communication with the outer atmosphere and The path of the air, fuel and gases is shown 1 ll! Fig. 14 by the arrows -40.

In the above described engine, the chain like L other embodiment, shown at Figs. 16 -19, said members may be guided in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said wheel.

In said figures, the shaft of the engine is shown at I03, and the gear-wheel I05 is enclosed in casing I02. provided with. fins 25... The duct I 21 leading from the gear-like member to one of the chain-like members may also be recognized; The two chain like'members are en.- closed each in a casing I extending radially from casing I02 and bolted on said casing I02. Each casing I50 is closed by a cover |5I and is provided with a central part I52. The chainlike members are formed of links |I2 connected together by means of axles II3 on which rollers II6 are held by means of nuts H5. Said rollers II6 are guided in a track formed of two pairs adapted for successively and directly communi eating with the helical grooves in the cylindrical member, a plurality of movable hollow helical members adapted for successively traversing said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providing a tight passage for the hollow helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end in'the wall of said casing against a terminal surface of said rotary cylindrical member, and at its other end in the tight passage for the hollow helical members, a recess provided in the wall of each said hollow helical member on the side of said member and adapted to communicate with said connecting duct, means for injecting fuel in said connecting duct and means within said hollow helical member for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber. v

2. An internal combustion engine comprising a rotary cylindrical member, said member having on its periphery a plurality of helical grooves opening at both ends, a tight casing for the cylindrical member, said casing having at least two, diametrically opposed, lateral openings in communication with the outer atmosphere and adapted for successively and directly communicating with the helical grooves in the cylindrical member, means for varying the surface of one of said openings, a plurality of movable hollow helical members adapted for successively traversing. said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls'of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providing a tight passage for the hollow helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end in the wall of said casing against a terminal surface of said rotary cylindrical member,. and at its other end in the tight passage for the hollow helical members, a recess provided in the wall of each hollow helical member on the side of said member and adapted to communicate with said connecting duct, meansjfor injecting fuel in said connecting duct and means within said hollow helical members for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber. l

3. An internal combustion engine comprisinga rotary cylindrical member, said member having on its periphery a plurality of helical grooves Each link acetic? openings, a both ends, a; ugh-teas ng er the cylindr cal: member, a d casing having at. eas two, diametrically opposed, lateral op nings in. communication with the outer atmosphere and adapted for successively and directly communicating with the helical grooves, in the cylindrical member, a plurality of moyable hollow helical members adapted for successively traversing said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providing a tight passage for the hollow helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct Opening at one end in the wall of said casing against a terminal surface of said rotary cylindrical member, and at its other end in the tight passage for the hollow helical members, a recess provided in the wall of each said hollow helical member said recess opening both laterally and in the. front of said helical member inthe direction oi; its movement, means for injecting fuel in said connecting duct and means within said hollowhelical members for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber.

4. An internal combustionenginecomprising a rotary cylindrical member; Said member havin on its periphery a plurality of helical grooves opening atboth-endsa tight casing for the cylindrical member, said casing having at least two, diametrically opposed, lateral openings in communication with the outer atmosphere and adapted for successively and directly communicating with the helical grooves in the cylindrical member, a plurality of movable hollow helical members adaptedfor successively traversing said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls-of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providing a tight passage tor the hollow; helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end in the wall of said casing against a terminal surface of said rotary cylindrical member, and at its other end in the tight passage for the hollow helical members, means for closing said duct in relation with the rotation of said rotary cylindrical member a recess provided in the wall of each said hollow helical member on the side, of said member and adapted to communicate with said connecting duct, means for injecting fuel in said connecting duct and means within said hollow helical members for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber. -5. An-internal combustion engine comprising a rotary cylindrical member, said member having on its periphery a plurality of helical grooves openings at both ends, a tight casing for the cylindrical member, said casing( having at least two, diametrically opposed, lateral openings in communication with the outer atmosphere and adapted for successively and directly communicating with the helical grooves. in the cylindrical member, a plurality of movable hollow helical members adapted for successively traversing said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providinga tight passage for the hollow helical members, on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end in the wall oi said casing ainst aterminalsur aceci said ro ary cylind cal. m mber, and at its oth r end. in the t ght. passage for the hollow helical membersa recess provided in the wall oi each, said helical member on the side oi saidmember and adaptedtc 20mmunicate, with said connecting duct, means for, periodically injecting fuelin said connecting duct and means. within said hollow helical members for igniting a, gas mixture in the working cham.-- ber.

6. An internal combustion engine comprising a. rotary cylindrical member, said member having on its periphery a plurality of, helical grooves openings at both ends, a tight casing for the yl drical m mber, sa d cas n e ng. a least two, diametrically opposed, lateral openings in. communication with the outer atmosphere,- and adapted for successively and directly communicating with the helical grooves in the cylindrical member, a plurality of movable hollow helical members adapted for successively traversing said grooves and forming with these grooves and the walls of the casing working chambers of variable capacity, said casing providing a tight passa e for the hollow helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end in the, wall of said casing; against a terminal surface of said. rotary cylindrical member, and at its other. end in the, tight passage for-the hollow helical members, a recess provided in the wall of each said hollow helical member on the side of said member; and adapted to communicate withsaidconnecting duct, means for injecting fuel in, said connecting; duct and means within said hollow helical members. for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber, cooling fins onthe outside of said tight casing, for the rotary cylindrical member, and means for leading air along said fins to, one of said lateral openings. in said casing.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising a tight casing, one helically threaded screw within said tight casing, at least one succession of interconnected helical projecting members. meshing with said screw and following a continuous track of suitable shape by moving along one generatrix of said screw, said members, screw threads and casing cooperating to form working chambers of variable capacity, said casing Providing a tight passagefor the hollow helical members on each side of the rotary cylindrical member, a connecting duct opening at one end thewall of said casing against a terminal surface of; said rotary cylindrical member, and at its other end in the tight passage for the hollow helical members, a recess: provided in the wall of each said hollow helical member on the side of said memher and adapted to communicate with said con,- necting duct, means for injecting fuel in said connecting duct and means within said hollow helical members for igniting a gas mixture in the working chamber.

MAURICE. CCU-SIN.

References Qited the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

